remark42

Self-Hosted

Lightweight self-hosted comment system for websites

Overview

remark42 is a privacy-focused, self-hosted comment solution for blogs, static sites, and dynamic web pages. It supports markdown formatting, upvotes/downvotes, anonymous comments, and OAuth login via GitHub, Google, Twitter, and more. Key features include moderation tools (spam filtering, comment approval), export/import of comments, and responsive mobile design. Deployment is simplified with Docker (single container or Compose), requiring minimal resources (works on 512MB RAM servers). It integrates seamlessly with static generators like Hugo and Jekyll, making it ideal for developers seeking control over their comment data.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  remark42:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: remark42
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Markdown & rich text comment formatting
OAuth login integration (GitHub, Google, Twitter)
Moderation tools (spam filtering, comment approval)
Anonymous comment option
Lightweight Docker deployment

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is remark42 hard to install?

No—remark42 uses Docker for deployment, simplifying setup. You can use a single Docker command or Compose file with minimal config (admin credentials, OAuth keys). It works on small servers (512MB RAM) and has clear docs to guide you.

? Is it a good alternative to Disqus?

Yes—remark42 is a privacy-focused alternative to Disqus. Unlike Disqus, it doesn’t track users or show ads, and you retain full comment data control. It’s lightweight but lacks some advanced features like cross-site commenting.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—remark42 is open source under the MIT License. All features are free with no paid tiers; you only cover your server hosting costs.

Top Alternatives

Disqus Compare

Facebook Comments Search Google

Livefyre Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Communication - Social Networks and Forums

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data privacy (self-hosted control)
⊕ Easy setup with Docker
⊕ Supports static & dynamic websites
⊕ Low resource consumption

Cons

⊖ Requires server/VPS hosting
⊖ No built-in ad revenue (unlike Disqus)
⊖ Limited social sharing features vs proprietary tools